Dental appliance



Feb. 26, 1963 E. I. WHITE DENTAL APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 FIG. 3

INVENTOR ERNEST I. WHITE BY l d5 Glad 6'. diamuu ATTORNEYS Feb. 26, 1963 E. 1. WHITE DENTAL APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1959 INVENTOR ERNEST I. WHITE BY Q9 ATTORNEYS" States are 3,078,578 DENTAL APPLIANCE Ernest I. White, 109 Sevier Ave, Greenevilie, Tenn. Filed Dec. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 860,772 10 Claims. (Cl. 32-63) 771,633, filed November 3, 1958, now Patent No. 2,958,-

Until recent years most dental equipment included motor units which operated drills and other related equipment in the 4,000 to 5,000 rpm. range. Today with modern high speed equipment speeds of 20,000 to 30,000 r.p.m. are used. In such high speed workmuch smaller cutting tools are used with a very light touch and with a jet of water directed on the area on which the work is being done. It is contemplated that in the future dentists will use an anesthetic and many times will work on a quadrant of the mouth at a single sitting. This high speed technique has made it imperative that more efficient means be provided for: (l) retracting the cheek, tongue and lips for a better view of the field of operation; (2) eificiently removing the fluids from all parts of the mouth; and (3) protecting the soft tissues of the mouth from possible injury.

in view of the above it is an object of this invention to provide a dental appliance which will efficiently retract the cheek, tongue and lips of the patient, effectively remove fiuids from all parts of the mouth, and protect the soft tissues of the mouth from injury.

It is another object of this invention to provide a holder for the dental appliance as above which is fully adjustable in all respects.

Another object of this invention is to provide an attachment for the basic dental appliance as referred to above which will make it possible to work effectively on the teeth in the upper portion of the mouth.

The word aspitractor is used hereinafter to designate units which remove fluid from the mouth and also act to retract the cheek, tongue and lips, singly or in combination.

The above and other objects of this invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the following detailed description and drawings, showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of this invention, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing the upper molar suction and retractor unit secured to the lower aspitractor unit and held in proper position by means of a holder for orienting the unit with respect to each patient;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the holder;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the aforesaid holder;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevational view of the holder;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the cam used to actuate the locking member for gripping the tube of the lower aspitractor unit;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation-a1 view of the lower as-' pitractor unit of this invention with the upper molar suction and retractor unit mounted thereon;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the upper molar suction and retractor unit showing the detailed construction of the cotton roll holder;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged end elevational view of the upper molar suction and retractor unit; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper molar suction and retractor unit.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the dental appliance of this invention comprises a holder 10 suitably supporting an aspitractor unit 12, part of which is shown in dotted lines, positioned for use in the patients oral cavity.

Holder 10 comprises a body 14 with an outwardly extending portion 16 which is bifurcated at its outer end to form two upwardly projecting supports 18-18. Each of these supports 18-18 has a ball portion 20 on its extremity. Chin and jaw rest- 22 has a pair of downwardly directed sockets 24-24 which fit over ball portions 20-40 on supports 18-48 to carry the chin and jaw rest.

The holder body 14 is slotted to form generally paral lel lug portions 26, 27 with aligned holes 23, 29 therein, respectively. An upwardly extending body portion 30 has a transverse groove therein in which is mounted a resilient bearing member 32.

A locking member 36 is pivotally mounted between lugs 26 and 27 by means of pin 39 extending through hole 37 in the locking member. An elongated hole 41 is formed in the locking member 36 slightly over one-third of the distance from the pivot pin 39 to the outer end of the locking member. A cam 38 is employed to actuate the locking member 36. As best shown in FIGURE 6 this cam comprises an enlarged cylindrical bearing member 40, an offset cam portion 42 and a cylindrical bearing member 44 having its axis coincident with that of bearing member 40. An arm 46 extends from bearing member 40 for use in manually rotating cam 38. The locking member 36 has a rod 48 extending across its outer end parallel to the resilient bearing member 32. This cam is carried in holes 28 and 29 of lugs 26 and 27, respectively, and extends through hole 41 in the locking member 36; the cam portion 42 being received by hole 41, the bearing member 40 riding in hole 28 and the bearing member 44 riding in hole 29.

The lower aspitractor unit 12, as illustrated in FIG- URES 7 and 8, is adapted primarily for use when working in the bicuspid and molar regions but may be so positioned for work from the median line to and including the third molar on its respective side when desirable. The lower aspitractor unit functions to remove fluid from the lingual and buccal sides of the lower posterior teeth and also to retract the cheek and the tongue in this area.

The lower aspitractor unit 12 comprises a primary suction tube 72, the forward end of which is bifurcated to form lingual and buccal suction and retracting arms 74 and 76, respectively. The buccal suction and retracting arm 76 comprises a curved tubular portion 78 extending laterally outward from primary suction tube 72 and then into a forwardly directed portion 80 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 72. A cheek retracting flange 82 extends laterally outward from the tubular portions 78 and 80. The flange width is sufficient to retract the cheek and keep it away from the teeth in the posterior mouth section. There are a plurality of holes on the superior and tooth approaching surfaces of the tube portion 80 for withdrawal of fluid from the buccal area.

The lingual suction and retracting arm 74 comprises a forwardly directed inverted U-shaped tube portion 85 extending from the outer end of tube 72. A tube portion 88 extends from the tube portion 86 generally in a horizontal plane and in alignment with tube 72. This tube portion 88 has a plurality of holes 00 for withdrawing fluid from the lingual cavity. A flange-like tongue retractor 92 is secured to and extends outwardly from the tube portions 86 and 38. As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the retractor 92 commences well down on a downward and lingual leg of the tube portion 86 and extends throughout the length of the tube portion 88.

In the event that work is to be done on the upper posterior teeth and attachment is provided for use in conjunction with tie lower aspitractor unit. This attachment has been denoted as an upper molar suction and retractor unit 16%} and as illustrated in FIGURES 9 through 11 comprises a concave cotton roll holder1tl2 having opposed pairs of prongs 193 extending upwardly from the concave face to grip a cotton roll. A tubular element 1&4 is secured to the holder Hi2 so as to be adjacent the cotton roll which is adapted to be held by the holder. A flexible tube 1% is connected to the tubular element 104 and has a tubular connector 138 at its other extremity. A spring 116 is positioned within the flexible tube 186 to give the tube a tendency to maintain itself in a straight line rather than the curved position as shown best in dotted lines in FIGURE 7.

T. e upper molar suction and retractor unit 180 is secured to the buceal suction and retracting unit 76, as illustrated in FIGURE 7. A tubular bushing 112 extends from the end of the tube portion 80 and tubular connector 193 on the upper molar suction and retractor unit is placed therein so that the concave face of the cotton roll holder will face upwardly. Obviously, this unit fits between the upper teeth and the inner surfaces of the check so that fluid collecting in the cotton roll shown in dotted lines may be withdrawn therefrom.

It is believed that the use and function of the aforedescribed apparatus is clear from the description; however, a brief summary follows.

When working on the lower teeth the holder and the lower aspitractor unit 12 are employed. The lower aspitractor unit is introduced into the month by a slight rotary motion placing it in desired position. The holder is then brought into position placing the chin and jaw rest underneath the patients chin and jaws. The primary suction tube 72 is positioned against the resilient bearing member 32 and cam 38 is rotated by handle 46 to cause the rod 48 on locking member 36 to swing toward resilient bearing member 32 and engage the primary suction tube 72 to thus secure the lower aspitractor unit 12 in position.

Referring to FIGURE 1, when the holder 14 and the lower aspitractor unit 12 are properly positioned the buccal suction and retracting arm 76 will be positioned down between cheek and the patients lower teeth so that the flange 82 will retract the check. The lingual suction and retractor arm 74 will extend down over the lower teeth so that the arm fits in the lingual cavity adjacent the lower teeth. The flange 92 acts to retract the tongue while holes 90 afford openings for withdrawal of lingual fluids.

When working on the upper molar teeth the upper molar suction and retractor unit 100 is attached to the end of the buccal suction and retractor arm '76. The, cotton roll holder 162 with the cotton roll thereon will thus extend upwardly and be positioned between the upper teeth and the inner surface of the cheek. In this arrangement fluid will be withdrawn from the cotton roll through tubular connection 104, tube 106 and on .down into the buccal suction arm 76.

In view of the foregoing, it is obvious that the invention described herein provides means for efficiently removing lluids from the buccal and lingual areas together with means for retracting the cheek portions, the lips and the tongue, singly or in combination.

I claim: I

l. A dental device for removing saliva from the oral cavity and retracting the tongue, cheek and lip, singly or in combination, said device comprising a holder body, a support portion extending from the body, a chin and jaw rest carried by the support, tube engaging and holding means on the holder body, said means comprising an extended body portion terminating in a bearing and manu ally operable locking means on the body, said means having a tube engaging portion independent of and freely spaced from the bearing and adapted to engage a tube and retain it in position against the bearing, a primary suction tube held in position by the aforesaid tube engaging and holding means, the tube being bifurcated at the end adjacent the jaw and chin support, suction and retraction means extending respectively from the bifurcation, said suction and retraction means being adapted to fit within the lingual cavity adjacent the lower teeth to retract the tongue and withdraw fluid from said cavity, and also adapted to fit down between the lower teeth and the inner surface of the mouth adjacent thereto to retract said surface and to remove fluids from the area between the lower teeth and the inner surface of the mouth.

2. A dental device for removing saliva from the oral cavity and retracting the tongue, cheek and lip, singly or in combination, comprising a holder body, a support portion extending outwardly from the body, a chin and jaw rest carried by. the support, tube engaging and holding means on the holder body, said means comprising an extended body portion terminating in a bearing, a locking lever pivotally mounted on the body and means for moving the locking lever towards the hearing so that the tube may be gripped thercbetween, a primary suction tube gripped and held in position between the bearing and the locking lever, said tube being bifurcated at the end adjacent the chin and jaw rest, a lingual suction tube extending from one side of the bifurcation, said tube having a forwardly. directed inverted U-shaped portion adapted to pass over and down behind the lower anterior teeth, a tube portion projecting beyond the inverted U-shaped portion, said tube portion having at least one aperture therein, a flange extending laterally outward from said tube portion and adapted to retract the tongue, a buccal suction tube extending from the other side of the aforesaid bifurcation, said buccal suction tube curving laterally outward and then followed by a portion turning for wardly so as to be adapted to fit down between the lower teeth and the buccal surfaces adjacent thereto, said forwardly directed portion having at least one aperture, a flange extending outwardly from said forwardly directed portion, said flange being adapted to retract the aforementioned buccal surfaces.

3. The device as described in claim 2 and including an upper molar suction and retractor unit mounted in the end of the buccal suction tube.

4. The device as described in claim 3 wherein the upper molar suction and retractor unit comprises a support adapted to carry a cotton roll, a tube having one end,

connected to the support, the other tube end being connected to the buccal suction tube so that suction may be had at the cotton roll support to withdraw fluid from the cotton roll and spring means within the tube to cause the support to move upwardly and position itself between the upper teeth and the inside surface of the check adjacent thereto.

5. A holder for use in conjuction with a dental device for saliva removing and tongue, cheek and lip retracting, each device having a tubular portion by which it is held in the holder, said holder comprising a body, a support portion extending from the body, a chin and jaw rest carried by the support, and tube engaging and holding means on the holder body, said means comprising an extended body portion terminating in a bearing and menually operable locking means on the body, said means having a tube engaging portion independent of and freely spaced from the bearing and adapted to engage a tube and force said tube into engagement with the bearing.

6. The device as described in claim 5 and wherein the support portion comprises a portion extending from the body and terminating in a bifurcated portion and further wherein the chin and jaw rest has gripping portions which engage the bifurcated support portions to carry the chin and jaw rest.

7. The device as'described in claim 5 and wherein the bearing comprises a transverse bar portion on the termination of the extended body portion and wherein the manually operable locking means comprises a locking lever mounted on the body and means for moving the locking lever towards the transverse bar portion so that the tube may be gripped therebetween.

8. An upper molar suction and retractor unit adapted to fit on an aspitractor assembly which includes a primary suction tube, said tube being bifurcated at one end, a lingual suction tube extending from one of the bifurcations, said lingual suction tube having a forwardly di rected inverted U-shaped portion adapted to pass over and down behind the lower anterior teeth, a tube portion projecting beyond the inverted U-shaped portion, said tube portion having at least one hole therein, a flange extending horizontally outward from said tube portion and adapted to retract the tongue, a buccal suction tube extending from the other bifurcation, said buccal suction tube curving laterally outward and then followed by a portion turning forwardly so as to be adapted to fit down between the lower teeth and the buccal surfaces adjacent thereto, said forwardly directed portion having at least one hole therein, and a narrow flange extending horizontally outwardly from said forwardly directed portion, said flange being adapted to retract the aforementioned buccal surfaces, position itself between the upper teeth and the cheek, said unit comprising a support adapted to carry a cotton roll, a tube having one end connected to the support, the other end of the tube adapted for connection to the buccal suction tube so that suction may be had at the cotton roll support to withdraw fluid from the cotton roll and spring means within the tube to cause the support to move upwardly and position itself between the upper teeth and the check.

9. An aspitractor unit for removing saliva from the oral cavity and retracting the tongue, cheek and lip, singly or in combination, said unit comprising a primary suction tube, said tube being bifurcated at one end, a lingual suction tube extending from one of the bifurcations, said lingual suction tube having a forwardly directed inverted U-shaped portion adapted to pass over and down behind the lower anterior teeth, a tube portion projecting beyond the inverted U-shaped portion, said tube portion having at least one hole therein, a buccal suction tube extending from the other bifurcation, said buccal suction tube curving laterally outward and then followed by a portion turning forwardly so as to be adapted to fit down between the lower teeth and the buccal surfaces adjacent thereto, said forwardly directed portion having at least one hole therein, and an upper molar suction and retractor unit mounted on the end of the buccal suction tube, said unit comprising a support adapted to carry a cotton roll, a tube having one end connected to the support, the other end of the tube being connected to the buccal suction tube so that suction may be had at the cotton roll support to withdraw fluid from the cotton roll.

10. The device as described in claim 9 and including a holder for the device, said holder comprising a body, a chin and jaw rest carried by the body, and tube engaging and holding means on the body adapted to engage the tube and retain it in position with respect to the holder body.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,180,249 Lernpert Nov. 14, 1939 2,670,539 Wall Mar. 2, 1954 2,359,518 Cohn Nov. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 761,736 France Jan. 13, 1934 906,478 France May 14, 1945 1,108,049 France Aug. 17, 1955 

1. A DENTAL DEVICE FOR REMOVING SALIVA FROM THE ORAL CAVITY AND RETRACTING THE TONGUE, CHEEK AND LIP, SINGLY OR IN COMBINATION, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A HOLDER BODY, A SUPPORT PORTION EXTENDING FROM THE BODY, A CHIN AND JAW REST CARRIED BY THE SUPPORT, TUBE ENGAGING AND HOLDING MEANS ON THE HOLDER BODY, SAID MEANS COMPRISING AN EXTENDED BODY PORTION TERMINATING IN A BEARING AND MANUALLY OPERABLE LOCKING MEANS ON THE BODY, SAID MEANS HAVING A TUBE ENGAGING PORTION INDEPENDENT OF AND FREELY SPACED FROM THE BEARING AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A TUBE AND RETAIN IT IN POSITION AGAINST THE BEARING, A PRIMARY SUCTION TUBE HELD IN POSITION BY THE AFORESAID TUBE ENGAGING AND HOLDING MEANS, THE TUBE BEING BIFURCATED AT THE END ADJACENT THE JAW AND CHIN SUPPORT, SUCTION AND RETRACTION MEANS EXTENDING RESPECTIVELY FROM THE BIFURCATION, SAID SUCTION AND RETRACTION MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO FIT WITHIN THE LINGUAL CAVITY ADJACENT THE LOWER TEETH TO RETRACT THE TONGUE AND WITHDRAW FLUID FROM SAID CAVITY, AND ALSO ADAPTED TO FIT DOWN BETWEEN THE LOWER TEETH AND THE INNER SURFACE OF THE MOUTH ADJACENT THERETO TO RETRACT SAID SURFACE AND TO REMOVE FLUIDS FROM THE AREA BETWEEN THE LOWER TEETH AND THE INNER SURFACE OF THE MOUTH. 